I have completed the installation of all the flooring and baseboards. I also checked the staircase and made any necessary touch-ups before installing the windows. Installing the windows requires patience, as each trim piece must be installed individually, which can lead to uneven or unsquared window trim. I installed all the side trims first, ensuring they were as flush to the window opening as possible, followed by the top and bottom trims.
In the kitchen, I chose wood tiles instead of vinyl strips. I stained them with the same brown color used for all the interior trim, and I think they turned out well. Wooden tiles are versatile and can be painted or stained to match various decor styles. After the stain dried, I applied a clear gloss varnish for a nice sheen. For a glossier finish, you can apply up to three coats of varnish, allowing each coat to dry in between. I opted for just one coat to maintain a rustic medieval appearance for the dollhouse.
Next, I trimmed all the back edges. In a completely stucco dollhouse, back edge trim is not necessary since the finish is rough throughout. However, back edge trim serves several purposes: it hides any curvature in the walls and floors and provides additional support. Even if your die-cut dollhouse is built straight, thin wood sheets can warp in the middle, especially around features like staircases. The trim helps straighten out any irregularities and makes them less noticeable. Leaving a slight overhang on the top edge of the back edge floor trim can also prevent miniature furniture from sliding out of the dollhouse. Therefore, it's always beneficial to use basswood strips for back edge trim whenever possible.
The second-floor staircase stairwell has some exposed flooring that needed covering with vinyl strips. Vinyl strip flooring is quite forgiving; always place the cut edges towards the walls to ensure that the floor joints align neatly. You can also use these strips as baseboards for a more cohesive look. I used brown trim around the stair rail walls to complete the project.